17th August, 2011
AMREF position on female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known in certain community as Female Genital Cutting, comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
The practice causes severe pain and has several immediate and long-term health consequences, including difficulties in childbirth also causing dangers to the child.
In Africa, an estimated 92 million girls aged 10 years and above have undergone FGM
Communities that practice female genital mutilation report a variety of social and religious reasons for continuing with it. Seen from a human rights perspective, the practice reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. Female genital mutilation is nearly always carried out on girls under 15 years, and is therefore a violation of the rights of the child.
AMREF Position on FGM
- FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women and should be eliminated.
- Interventions must address the associated social and cultural values of communities
- Both men and women must be involved in interventions, from the planning stage right through to programme evaluation.
What AMREF does
- Advocates social mobilization among communities: creates youth groups against FGM
- Encourages community health workers and traditional birth attendants to integrate anti-FGM education during their visits to pregnant mothers
- Includes FGM/FGC elimination as part of all integrated community health strategies